Menopause is a hormonal transition that marks the end of the female reproductive cycle, characterized by significant hormonal changes. Menopause involves a continuum of symptoms across Cardiovascular, Bone, and Mental Health (Zahn et al., 2024). menopausal symptoms include vasomotor symptoms, sleep disturbances, problems with sexual function, and cognitive symptoms (Thurston et al., 2025). Menopausal symptoms are experienced differently based on cultural beliefs and psychosocial factors (Zahn et al., 2024). Although physical symptoms of menopause are well-known and documented, the psychological effects, particularly suicidality, are underexplored (Hendriks et al., 2025). Estrogen fluctuations during the menopausal transition are a risk factor for depression (Turek & Gąsior, 2023). Minority populations are less likely to seek mental health care compared with the white population (Zhang et al., 2022). African American women are twice as likely to experience depression symptoms during the transition to menopause compared with non-Hispanic white women. Despite higher rates of mood symptoms during the menopause transition, African American and Hispanic women are less likely to use hormone replacement therapy compared with non-Hispanic white women and are more often interested in complementary and alternative options (Ballone & Richards, 2023).

To avoid unconscious biases, a clinician can integrate biological, psychological, & sociocultural experiences with their own clinical expertise and medical knowledge to offer effective and accessible menopause care. This topic is crucial because it addresses (1) mental health professionals who will learn to enhance their ability to provide culturally sensitive care, (2) our medical students who will become physicians (DO) who will treat diverse patient populations, and (3) faculty and staff who will ensure our students provide excellent care to all patients regardless of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and cultural context. Participants will identify health disparities and systemic barriers in women’s health specific to the menopausal stage of life. They’ll learn how menopause affects mental health specifically for the BIPOC populations. Lastly, we’ll discuss care approaches for working with menopausal patients in order to reduce disparities.

Presented by Chinwe Ewenighi, PhD

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This program, when attended in its entirety, offers 1.5 CEs for Psychologists, 1.5 IL CEUs for Counselors and Social Workers, 1.5 BBS California CEUs for LPCCs, LPSWs, and LMFTs, or 1.5 NBCC Clock Hours.

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TO VIEW MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTER, PLEASE VISIT: 

https://tcsppofficeofce.com/aug_28_2026-2